Missouri
GOP Senator Begs for Disaster Aid as FEMA Snubs Another Red State
Senators grilled Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on Tuesday over her management of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and how the agency — which President Donald Trump has sought to dismantle — is responding to a series of devastating storms across the southern United States.
During a hearing of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) asked Noem what she would do about pending federal disaster declaration requests for the state of Missouri — which has been wracked by a series of deadly tornadoes — that have not been approved by the president. Mississippi, which is still recovering from extreme weather events in March, is also waiting for approval on months-old disaster relief declarations.
“The state has pending three requests for major disaster declarations from earlier storms we’ve lost over a dozen people. Well, actually, if you count the folks we lost just on Friday, we’ve lost almost 20 people now in major storms just in the last two months in Missouri,” Hawley said.
“Will you commit to helping, for those three major disaster declaration requests that are pending, will you expedite those, Secretary Noem, and get those in front of the president, get those approved?” Hawley asked. “We are desperate for the assistance in Missouri.”
Noem replied that she would make sure the applications were put before Trump as soon as possible, and agreed to expedite individual assistance for qualified Missourians impacted by the recent storms.
A prominent Republican lawmaker like Hawley begging a Republican administration to approve emergency aid for a Republican state is a sign of how badly federal agencies responsible for the welfare of vulnerable populations have eroded under Trump.
The plea came a day after St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer told MSNBC that “FEMA has not been on the ground” and that the city does not “have confirmed assistance from FEMA at this point.”
“What we need right now is federal assistance. This is where FEMA and the federal government has got to come in and help communities. Our city cannot shoulder this alone. The state of Missouri cannot shoulder this alone,” Spencer said. “We need partners at the national level, at the federal level, to step up and help — and this is not just true for St. Louis. Cities across the nation, when they are experiencing disasters such as this, this is what the federal government is for.”
Last month, Arkansas’ Republican Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders — who previously served as Trump’s press secretary — issued a letter to the president pleading with him to reconsider FEMA’s denial of an emergency disaster declaration request as the state recovered from a series of tornadoes in March. In her letter, Sanders wrote that “without the support of a Major Disaster Declaration, Arkansas will face significant challenges in assuming full responsibility and achieving an effective recovery from this event,” and that “supplemental Federal assistance is crucial” to recovery efforts.
The declaration was finally issued on May 13, almost exactly two months after the storms hit the state, and a month after Huckabee wrote to the president.
Meanwhile, Kentucky’s Democratic Governor Andy Beshear appeared on CNN to discuss the tornadoes that killed 19 people in the state over the last week. “I’m very concerned about cuts to FEMA or to the National Weather Service,” Beshear said. “But I want to be clear that the actual response on the ground by the Trump administration and Secretary Noem has been good. The way FEMA has treated people has been good. The president has approved each of our applications,” he added.
The disparity in response levels speaks to the scattershot, disorganized manner with which the Trump administration has handled disaster responses.
In the months since Trump assumed office, FEMA has been hit with sweeping staffing and management cuts in accordance with Trump and Elon Musk’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) initiatives. In March, Noem announced that she would move to “eliminate” the agency altogether and transfer disaster management responsibilities to individual states. FEMA’s interim head Cameron Hamilton was removed from his post earlier this month after testifying before Congress that he felt the agency’s demise would be detrimental to public welfare. His replacement, former Marine Corps Officer David Richardson, sent a dire warning to staff: “Don’t get in my way […] because I will run right over you. I will achieve the president’s intent.”
During Tuesday’s Senate hearing, Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) grilled Noem on the Trump administration’s plans to gut FEMA, and how it would affect their ability to respond to disasters.
“You are losing a fifth of the workforce at FEMA. What’s your plan to replace them?” Blumenthal asked. “How are you going to meet the needs of our constituents?”
Noem dodged the question, talking over Blumenthal’s attempts to redirect her and claiming that it was actually the Biden administration’s fault that the agency was bloated and ineffective.
But as much as Trump’s Cabinet would like to place the failings of the administration at the feet of his predecessor, the states currently attempting to manage deadly disasters aren’t running to Joe Biden for assistance — they’re begging the current occupant of the White House.
Missouri’s long-awaited sports betting launch has finally arrived, and DraftKings is kicking things off with one of its most generous new-user deals on the market. To celebrate the state’s debut, DraftKings is offering users the chance to earn $300 in bonus bets after placing a $5 wager. No DraftKings promo code is required.
Arizona is 8-0 and has already beaten Florida, UCLA, UConn and Auburn. As a result, the Wildcats are the No. 1-ranked team in the country. Despite that, they are 1.5-point underdogs when they visit Tuscaloosa to play No. 12 Alabama on Saturday night. Will the Tide hand Arizona its first loss? Or will Alabama be the latest name added to Arizona’s already impressive resume?
DraftKings Missouri promo code at a glance
| 🏆DraftKings Missouri promo code | No code required |
|---|---|
| 🎁DraftKings Missouri welcome offer for new users | Bet $5, get $300 in bonus bets instantly |
| 💲DraftKings Missouri promo code minimum deposit | $5 |
| 💲DraftKings Missouri promo code minimum first bet | $5 |
| 📋DraftKings Missouri promo code terms and conditions | – Bonus bets are awarded instantly after you bet $5+. This qualifying bet can win or lose.
– Bonus credited as 12 $25 bonus bet tokens. – Bonus bets expire seven days (168 hours) after receipt. |
| ✅Last verified | Dec. 13, 2025 |
DraftKings Missouri promo code: How to get started betting in Missouri today
Here are the steps that you need to take to score $300 in bonus bets from DraftKings:
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- You will instantly receive $300 in bonus bets, win or lose.
- Your 12 $25 bonus bet tokens expire seven days (168 hours) after you receive them.
💡Tip: You need to provide some personal information like your name, email, mobile number, birthdate and the last four digits of your Social Security Number during sign-up. This information is totally secure and is used to verify your identity.
How the DraftKings Missouri promo code works
Below, you can check out the most important details of the DraftKings Missouri promo code:
- Promo code: No code required, click one of our links to score the bonus
- Who is eligible: New customers who are 21+ and located in Missouri
- Minimum first deposit: $5
- Minimum first bet amount: $5
- Minimum odds requirement: None
- Bonus bet structure: Issued as 12 $25 bonus bet tokens
- When you’ll receive your bonus bets: Instantly after placing a $5 qualifying wager
- Expiration of bonus bets: Seven days (168 hours) after they reach your account
Reasons to sign up with the DraftKings Missouri promo
DraftKings Sportsbook is one of the leaders in the sports betting industry, and this is for many reasons.
For starters, their mobile app ranks as arguably the best of its kind for speed, layout and overall experience. The app has user ratings of 4.7/5 and 4.8/5 from the Google Play Store and Apple Store, respectively.
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After you sign up, you can check out the “Promos” page to see the lineup of ongoing offers. These include a variety of profit boosts, no sweat bets, the new Early Exit promo and others.
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As of Saturday, December 13, 2025, Bet365 Sportsbook is firmly established in the Show-Me State, continuing a massive expansion for the global betting giant. To maximize its footprint during this pivotal opening month, Bet365 Missouri has extended its most aggressive welcome promotion in Bowl Season: the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE now unlocks a Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets deal for all eligible Missouri residents.
This enhanced bonus stands as a significant departure from Bet365’s typical national approach. In mature markets such as New Jersey and Ohio, the standard entry offer is generally capped at $150. By utilizing the Bet365 bonus code in Missouri today, new registrants secure an extra $215 in bonus value, cementing this $365 guarantee as one of the premier launch incentives in the United States.
Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE: A New National Benchmark
The timing of this rollout is impeccable, aligning perfectly with the most storied rivalry in college football. The Bet365 bonus code framework for Missouri is engineered to supply immediate account liquidity. Unlike deposit matches that demand a high upfront cost, or “safety net” bets that rely on a loss to trigger a refund, the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE ensures the $365 payout happens regardless of whether the qualifying bet wins or loses.
Key Deal Terms:
- Bonus Code: SYRACUSE
- Offer: Bet $10, Get $365 in Bonus Bets (Guaranteed).
- Value Differential: +$215 over the standard $150 national promo.
- Launch Window: December 2025 (Live Now).
Today’s Top Missouri Betting Opportunity: Army vs. Navy
The activation of the Bet365 bonus code comes just hours before kickoff for “America’s Game.” Missouri bettors can apply their qualifying $10 wager on this afternoon’s service academy clash to instantly trigger the $365 bonus mechanism.
Army vs. Navy: Saturday College Football Spotlight
- Teams: Army Black Knights vs. Navy Midshipmen
- Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
- Time: 3:00 PM ET
- Venue: M&T Bank Stadium
Current Betting Odds
- Total (Over/Under): 38.5
- Moneyline Odds: Army +210, Navy -235
- Note: Odds are subject to change.
By using the Bet365 bonus code to place a $10 wager on the Midshipmen cover (-6), the Army upset (+210), or the defensive struggle on the Under (38.5), Missouri accounts will be credited with $365 in bonus bets. This provides a significant war chest for the remainder of the December football schedule.
How to Activate the Bet365 Bonus Code SYRACUSE:
With the platform fully operational, claiming this elevated launch bonus requires following specific steps during sign-up. The Bet365 bonus code must be applied as follows:
- Application: Enter the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE inside the dedicated field during account creation on the Missouri app or desktop site.
- Deposit: Make a minimum initial deposit of $10 to fund the new account.
- Qualifying Wager: Place a $10 wager on the Army-Navy game (or any other eligible market).
- Distribution: The Bet365 bonus code triggers the release of $365 in bonus bets to the account balance once the wager settles, irrespective of the final score.
Conclusion: Bet365 Missouri Redefines the Opening Month
The arrival of Bet365 in Missouri delivers more than just a new platform; it introduces a market-altering promotional tier. By leveraging the Bet365 bonus code SYRACUSE during this historic opening month, sports fans guarantee themselves a bonus $215 higher than the national average, ensuring the most profitable start possible to their betting experience in Missouri.
GAMBLING PROBLEM? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. 21+ only. Must be physically located in MO. T&Cs Apply. In App Only.
If you or a loved one has questions or needs to talk to a professional about gambling, call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit 1800gambler.net for more information.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Missouri State Highway Patrol arrested a 29-year-old woman after seizing over 200 pounds of marijuana in a traffic stop.
ALSO READ: Investigation into Missouri kratom retailers expands, says AG
According to the MSHP, troopers stopped a vehicle for a registration violation and following too closely on EB I-70 in Montgomery County, Mo., on Thursday, December 11. Authorities then searched the vehicle, finding 221 pounds of marijuana.
According to an MSHP report, 29-year-old Briana A. Roberts was taken into custody and held in the Montgomery County Jail for 24 hours. She could be charged with trafficking drugs in the first degree and endangering the welfare of a child in the first degree, according to the report.
No further information has been released.
Copyright 2025 KCTV. All rights reserved.
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